July 15, 2006
YKHC’s technology interns, Jofina Aguviak, left, and Ingrid Charlie,
By Katie Baldwin
It's Thursday afternoon in the technology department at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation and the computer technicians are in position with headsets on and hands hovering over their keyboards. Suddenly the help desk telephones send a shrill ring throughout the office, alerting the entire department to somebody's computer woes.
Ingrid Charlie, a technology intern from Kwigillingok, is on it. The high school junior answers the phone with a polite greeting before delving into a mess of computer lingo and networking jargon.
Charlie, along with James Joekay a high school senior from Napaskiak ,and Jofina Avugiak, a recent high school graduate from Chefornak, are all interns at the technology department at YKHC.
"We learn about network connections, setting up computers and downloading software on the YKHC computers," Charlie said.
The three talented students are gaining real life career skills through an engineering and science-based program at KUC, which places students at internships throughout the Bethel community.
The KUC-ANSEP Bridging Program, or "boot camp", prepares students for the college program called, Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP). ANSEP was established in 1995 at the University of Alaska, Anchorage to encourage Alaska Natives to pursue four-year degrees in the hard sciences.
Students involved in ANSEP are supported in college with financial and academic incentives like scholarship money, internships, tutors and 100% job placement upon graduation. ANSEP boasts a 70% graduation rate and it's success has expanded it to four other states to include American Indians and Native Hawaiians in the program.
KUC's bootcamp requires students to complete a paid internship in a technology or engineering based setting, like the technology department at YKHC.
"YKHC does a great job because they are really nurturing and supportive. It's a model for how all our internships should be." KUC student facilitator, Shane Iverson said. "We are really appreciative of the YKHC technology lab. Especially of the mentors who have risen to the challenges of helping these students."
Besides learning how to download and upload software, trouble shoot, network computers and dissect a hard drive, the interns also answer heat calls at the technology help desk. A heat call is when a customer at on of the facilities around Bethel calls and needs on-site assistance.
"We've gone to PATC, the Hospital building, Aeromed, Housing and the Prenatal Home," Joekay said.
When the interns are away from the office they are studying pre-calculus. From eight to ten in the morning they are in an intense pre-calculus class. After work they are required to hit the books for a two-hour study session with a tutor.
"Pre-calculus is pretty challenging," Avugiak said. "We are trying our best and helping each other."
A strong work ethic and time management skills are imperative in order to succeed in the program. Iverson sees it as a chance to show them what is expected of them in college.
"This is our chance to work with them in a small group and really push them and put pressure on them to manage their time," Iverson said.
Students learn what it takes to go away to college and earn a four-year-degree, but perhaps even more importantly they are encouraged to return to the YK-Delta upon graduation.
"We are trying to prevent brain drain, that's when people go to college and get their education and then they leave," Help Desk Manager, Joe Shawler said. "We want to instill a sense of pride in the folks we train and remind them to take care of their own."
Shawler meets with Iverson and program director, Martin Leonard, often to ensure the students are having the most valuable experience possible.
"These are very talented students and we don't want to waste their time," Shawler said.
While Avugiak is not sure of what type of four-year-degree she will pursue she is looking forward to beginning college in the fall at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. The summer boot camp has increased her interest in technology.
"I just wanted to see if I was interested in technology and engineering and see if it was something I wanted to pursue. I'm kind of getting interested now and I'm getting to learn more," Avugiak said.
Joekay is also undecided as to where the technology program will lead him but he's confident that it will help him achieve a four-year-degree at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks after he graduates from high school next spring.
"I'd like to go wherever it takes me," Joekay said with a smile.
Charlie on the other hand is less sure about where she will pursue her degree but KUC, UAF and UAA are a few options she is considering. One thing she is certain of is where she will end up after she graduates.
"I'd like to work at the YKHC clinic in Kwigillingok as either a health aide or a technician," Charlie said. "I like this place, it's where I'm from and I don't think I'd be able to survive out there, I'd be too homesick. I want to help my people."